The Rugby Thread

[Cormack74]

Definitely

Been getting louder and louder over the last 4-5 years also.

I love the anthems, but God save the Queen is easily the worst. No passion at all in it.

Agreed.

I'd go for Land of Hope and Glory or Rule Britannia but I'm sure there are lots of people who would see them as condoning colonialism and there'd be trouble with the PC Police

[Irishnev]

Thanks. Didn't catch any games this weekend, but he's had a decent start to this Super Rugby campaign.

I understand Hougaard has done quite well there, but he's always been largely **** domestically and internationally here. We all thought he was going to be the next Fourie du Preez, but his best rugby has always come from the wing. At scrumhalf he's never performed. Always promised to be something but it never came, retired for a year or so anyway, so doesn't really matter. On the subject of arrogant pricks, he's definitely one of them. I also think his involvement in the Oscar trial effected him on and off the pitch, if he's doing well away from SA, good for him, because I doubt it would have ever really worked out for him. Hype job.

On the subject of O'Connor, I think it's a pity how things panned out for him. Should be one of the best backs in the world. Could easily have gotten well over 100 caps for Australia. Him and Frans Steyn frustrate me greatly, they have to take some blame, but their unions/coaches could have handled both so much better.

Should have declared for Ireland...

Thing he was eligible for ZA, NZ and Aus but not Ireland.

[Zapater]

Should have declared for Ireland...

Thing he was eligible for ZA, NZ and Aus but not Ireland.

Would have slotted well into Ireland's team.

SA grandparents, NZ (kind of) parents, born in Australia. Disappointing to hear he's doing so poorly, was electric when he burst onto the scene. I blame the stupid Michael Clarke hairstyle for the drop off

[Red_Polo]

I should imagine that lots of the world's anthems are no longer relevant; the German one includes "Germany above all . . above all in the world" (albeit I don't think they often sing that bit any more ), the French one talks about slitting people's throats.

Britain is still (notionally) a Christian country, so asking the good Lord to keep an eye on the Monarch doesn't seem especially outlandish, even 275 years on IMO. The tune's **** though.

That's true, there are lines in many an anthem that stand out as being more than a bit off. The thing with GSTQ is that it's the central premise that's amiss. In a Britain where most people don't consider themselves religious, let alone Christian, I'm not sure God Save anything is the way we like to imagine ourselves.

[Red_Polo]

Agreed.

I'd go for Land of Hope and Glory or Rule Britannia but I'm sure there are lots of people who would see them as condoning colonialism and there'd be trouble with the PC Police

Regardless of what the intended interpretation, I think Land of Hope & Glory is far more apt as imagined in a modern Britain. Also just a great piece of music.

[Zapater]

That's true, there are lines in many an anthem that stand out as being more than a bit off. The thing with GSTQ is that it's the central premise that's amiss. In a Britain where most people don't consider themselves religious, let alone Christian, I'm not sure God Save anything is the way we like to imagine ourselves.

Funniest thing I've read for a while, the fact it was/is enforced as a national anthem for half of the world to people whom have no care for either Christianity or the queen.

[Red_Polo]

Funniest thing I've read for a while, the fact it was/is enforced as a national anthem for half of the world to people whom have no care for either Christianity or the queen.

Indeed. I can only assume we agree doing so makes no sense?

[Zapater]

Indeed. I can only assume we agree doing so makes no sense?

Sure, more a library discussion probably. Just saying, I don't think it's fair to move on from archaic British structures when they're still being mindlessly observed in sections of the world.

On the plus side, at least you can understand your national anthem

[Cormack74]

Are you Afrikaans or English (heritage)?

I recall someone telling me that the SA anthem doesn't become Afrikaans until verse 3 and English until verse 4.

[Red_Polo]

Sure, more a library discussion probably. Just saying, I don't think it's fair to move on from archaic British structures when they're still being mindlessly observed in sections of the world.

On the plus side, at least you can understand your national anthem

Dunno, I'd say getting rid of it here would only be a boon to those who want to stop singing it elsewhere tbh.

[Zapater]

Are you Afrikaans or English (heritage)?

I recall someone telling me that the SA anthem doesn't become Afrikaans until verse 3 and English until verse 4.

Both in all honesty, but mainly English. My relatives all speak English as a first language and many have UK passports. I've got an Afrikaans surname which doesn't help when you're awful at the language

I didn't know. Had to wiki it now, apparently so with Zulu, Xhosa and Sesotho in the first two.

The whole national anthem thing is a bit irrelevant in modern day society. It is great to have it as a war cry before cricket and rugby matches. I'm not much of a patriot, but it definitely gets the boys and the crowd going. Before a test with the AB's or Australia particularly.

Grossly off topic, but it just happened as I was about to hit post. Check out Rodrigo Moreno's volley against Athletic Bilbao now. What a stunner. On his bad foot too.

[Cormack74]

Both in all honesty, but mainly English. My relatives all speak English as a first language and many have UK passports. I've got an Afrikaans surname which doesn't help when you're awful at the language

I didn't know. Had to wiki it now, apparently so with Zulu, Xhosa and Sesotho in the first two.

The whole national anthem thing is a bit irrelevant in modern day society. It is great to have it as a war cry before cricket and rugby matches. I'm not much of a patriot, but it definitely gets the boys and the crowd going. Before a test with the AB's or Australia particularly.

Grossly off topic, but it just happened as I was about to hit post. Check out Rodrigo Moreno's volley against Athletic Bilbao now. What a stunner. On his bad foot too.

Yeah thanks . . but some of us had to wash up mate

[Buzzo]

This is a pretty good explanation of how the World Rugby League would work.

I hadn't quite understood it. Its not that bad an idea in principal, so long as the Pacific Islands are catered for.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/47462523

[Rigadon]

Who has won the Six Nations the most?

England is just in the lead on the roll of honour with 28 outright wins in the competition in all its forms since 1883 and 10 shared wins. Wales has 26 wins and 12 shared titles.

This puts both countries level pegging on titles although England has a whisker in front when you rank it Olympic Games-style on outright victories. Italy has yet to win the tournament in 19 appearances.

The 1973 Five Nations tournament is notable in that it ended with all five competitors: France, Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, sharing the title as joint winners.

What is the Wooden Spoon?

It’s the prize nobody wants, the award given to the team at the bottom of the table when the tournament’s over.

Since 1883, every nation has taken home the wooden spoon. Ireland has ‘spooned’ the most, finishing last on 29 occasions, the most recent being 1998. Scotland is next on 21, then England on 19, Wales on 16 and France on 12. Neither Ireland nor England have finished last since the tournament became the Six Nations.

Interesting, especially the 1973 stat.

[Cormack74]

So how' s it going to go today?

Wales obviously favourites but I think if Buzzo's boys can cut the error count then it could be pretty close.

I know who I'm supporting